Letters to the Editor Sunday

Sunday

Apr 1, 2012 at 12:40 AM

Another magnificent St. Patrick's Day is in the books. Who could ask for more...beautiful weather, a glorious Mass celebrating the patron saint of Ireland to begin the day, the largest parade and expected crowds in the 188-year history, and yes, parking tickets. Really.

Yes, our city mothers and fathers, after cajoling and courting tourists, businesses and vendors to join in the annual celebration, decided that Saturday, March 17, would be an ideal time to give parking tickets for blocking the bike lane on Lincoln Street and yellow line infractions around the city.

This would be after no less than 50 percent of available parking was removed for obvious and necessary reasons.

I have friends who had driven into Savannah that morning in hopes of enjoying the day and, sadly, had to leave as they found no parking anywhere near the parade route or close beyond.

At least they escaped the penalty of the egregious parking violation.

Where did the city administrators think these record crowds, bringing abundant revenue to the restaurants, hotels and gift shops, were going to park?

Once again the city of Savannah manages to snatch positive public relations from the jaws of continued negative publicity and ill will. I can only imagine that someone must pay for the many questionable personnel and administrative payments now flowing freely from City Hall.

ELLEN STRUCK

Savannah

How politicians discredit honest people

In Norman Ravitch's letter of March 23 ("The only ray of hope: Paul Ryan") he claims the United States is on the verge of financial disaster because we are on the mother's milk of entitlements.

He goes on to call people who need a hand, lower class, greedy and selfless.

Anyone unfortunate enough to be laid off is collecting unemployment insurance, which they paid into when they were employed.

Social Security recipients also paid their entire lives into the program. The word "entitlement" is used by politicians and their lackeys to discredit honest people.

I see Mr. Ravitch tout Congressman Paul Ryan without mentioning the congressman's entitlements of a pension after two years of work and free medical care forever. Speaking of such, how about General Electric Co. paying zero dollars in federal income taxes in 2010? There is a political party that defends corporate greed and another one that defends the hard working as the down-trodden.

I won't tell you which is which, because if you are smart enough to vote, you'll be able to figure it out.

BILL COOPER

Savannah

God bless (and God help) Justice Kennedy

Isn't it amazing that our highest court of the land has already been determined how they will vote by our almighty press corps regarding Obamacare?

The only one that seems to take the issue seriously is Justice Anthony Kennedy. All the other justices have already made up their minds by party association, without hearing arguments or reading the actual contents of the bill itself.

The justices listen to their own party-affiliated law clerks and the law clerks determine pro or con voting by the justices.

Shame on every Supreme Court justice who takes this approach. What small thinking on their behalf.

I will guarantee the vote of the Democratic-appointed justices upholding the law and the Republican justices opposing the law. God help Justice Kennedy.

WILLIAM WOHLLEB

Savannah

Motorist hits a puppy - twice in two weeks

I wish animals were capable of hurting people like people hurt them.

This is for the driver that ran over and killed a two-and-a-half-pound chihuahua puppy on Gordon Street in Port Wentworth on Feb. 25. This person didn't have the guts to stop and see if the puppy needed help. Therefore, there are two small young children grieving for their pet that they are not old enough to know what happened to it.

Less than two weeks later, this same driver ran over and injured another puppy that lives next door to the one they killed.

People; please slow down on residential streets where children and or their pets may venture into at times.

I have lived on this street since 1956. My neighbors and I have raised between 35 and 40 children on this street since then.

To my knowledge there has never been a child or pet injured on this street in all those years; now, two incidents in less than two weeks. People, slow down where children and pets may be present.

EVELYN STEPHENS

Port Wentworth

Economy improving? Not with rising gas prices

The gas prices are ridiculous. I resent the people that set the prices and don't care about the people who still have to drive to work because they have bills to pay.

The people who set the prices are making profits in the billions. The high gas prices are causing some people to trade in their vehicles (even when they do not want to) because of the gas prices.

I have heard many others say the same thing about the gas prices. The vehicle manufacturers love it because they are making a lot of money because of the trade-ins. As the gas prices get higher, the vehicle prices go up, too.

The more the demand for smaller vehicles goes up, the higher the vehicle prices go.

The fact that politicians, lawyers and CEOs can still drive what they want, without worrying about it, really makes me sick. The people in government couldn't care less because they are too busy blasting each other with words.

The newscasters keep saying that the economy is finally getting better. I cannot see how the economy is getting better while paying $3.85 and maybe even as much as $4 or more for a gallon of gas.

This hurts the economy. It doesn't take a master mathematician to figure that out.

Every time the newscasters state that oil prices are up, that same night (or the next day) the gas prices go up again five to 10 cents a gallon. The oil company CEOs and managers are smiling about it all as they drive to the bank because their profits are in the billions.